2008 Epiphone Slash

[kspeed]

Originally Posted by funkdubious

How much are Gibbo Studio's in the US?I ask becuase no matter how good the build quality of the Epi Slash is I'd rather have a cheap Gibbo than an signature Epi.
But that's just my opinion!

Generally, the Gibson LP Studios start around $1,000, which is right in the Epi Elitist wheelhouse. In this price range it's really a toss up between the Gibby and Epi - do a close comparison next time you're at your local store. It comes down to looks and preference more than anything, that and how much you really want the Gibson headstock.

Add another $1,000 or so to get into a Gibson LP Standard.

[johliatay]

So I went back down there and played it for quite a while. I played it acoustically first and noticed that it was not as bright as the Gibson version and definitely did not have the same sustain. I know they are totally different beasts, so I kept that in mind as I continued to play.
As I played more I noticed that it kept going out of tune. I tuned it up a few times, but after awhile, I got really annoyed and asked the sales guy if he had another one I could take a look at. He brought a brand new one from the back and I played that for a little while and noticed that it sounded completely different from the first one. Very little sustain and could not find any harmonics on it.
I apologized and left. Went down the street to another shop and asked if I could play the one they had. This one was WAY out of tune when they handed it to me so we tuned it up and I was off. About 2 minutes later, completely out of tune again. I did not keep tuning it this time, but I wanted to see what was going on and kept goofing around with it until the sales guy came over. He looked at me strange and said, "You know that is out of tune, right?" I told him yeah and we tuned it up again. It was WAY off again. He played it for little bit and after about 30 seconds he put it back on the wall, and said, "Man, you do not want this guitar"
So long story short, I ended up not getting it.
I do have to say that all of them looked REALLY nice and for looks alone and initial feel, looked like a great deal. I am just glad I held off and looked at what all of you had to say.
As an FYI, they did have a Gibson Les Paul Faded for like $1200 used. THAT was a sweet machine. I may have to go back for that one, but for now, I will just keep playing what I have.

[rvai]

I havenīt seen tuning issues in the more expensive epiphones, mine has grover tuners and I only tune after a string change and thats all for a long time, so it seems weird to me that you found that problem in several of the most expensive epiphones

[johliatay]

Yeah, I have a Epiphone Buzzsaw and have never had an issue with it going out of tune. I know the Slash model has the vintage tuners on it, and it may just be that the guitars I played had never been set-up. I may have also just had a bad run??

[TongueShredder]

http://www.epiphone.com/slash/

[marianozz]

Ive got a bullseye with grovers in it and, while not perfect, its not easy at all to knock it out of tune...

edit: just read the official page, i think its cool it comes with the real duncans... maybe the ones in stores are just crappily set up... i dont think they could all suck that bad...

[kspeed]

Count me as another that's surprised you repeatedly ran into tuning issues. I own a couple of midrange Epi's and never run into tuning problems myself.

That said, if you're in the market for a LP in that price range check out the Epiphone Elitist lineup.

[humpy]

Originally Posted by funkdubious

How much are Gibbo Studio's in the US?I ask becuase no matter how good the build quality of the Epi Slash is I'd rather have a cheap Gibbo than an signature Epi.
But that's just my opinion!

I bought a cheap Gibbo SC (Special I think the model is) about 8 years ago and I don't know if I agree. I reckon a $1000 + signature Epi would give it a run for it's money (if they're as good as everyone is saying). In fact It wouldn't suprise me to find out that they're the same parts.

[funkdubious]

Originally Posted by humpy

I bought a cheap Gibbo SC (Special I think the model is) about 8 years ago and I don't know if I agree. I reckon a $1000 + signature Epi would give it a run for it's money (if they're as good as everyone is saying). In fact It wouldn't suprise me to find out that they're the same parts.

I know what you mean,but I really don't like the epi headstock,and this may make me an idiot but I'd always feel I had the poor relation.
I've owned a Gibbo LP Studio and a Gibbo ZW,the studio was amazing,felt good,sounded good and played good.
The ZW out of the box was awful,but was sweet after a pro set up.I had to get rid of it and regret it now.I couldnt afford one now,but there is no way I could buy the Epi version,even if I was to stick the ZW EMG's in

[elcid]

Originally Posted by humpy

I bought a cheap Gibbo SC (Special I think the model is) about 8 years ago and I don't know if I agree. I reckon a $1000 + signature Epi would give it a run for it's money (if they're as good as everyone is saying). In fact It wouldn't suprise me to find out that they're the same parts.

About 8 years ago the LP Special was only around $500 (maybe a little less). I would hope a $1000 Epi would atleast give it a run for it's money.

[humpy]

Originally Posted by elcid

About 8 years ago the LP Special was only around $500 (maybe a little less). I would hope a $1000 Epi would atleast give it a run for it's money.

Sorry, that's my typing. It's the SG Special not the Les Paul Special,
http://www.gibson.com/en-us/division.../sg/sgspecial/
and when I bought it it was about $1200 AUD. They retail now for about $2000 AUD.

Anyway, just tried the USA Slash model at the local dealer. WOW!!! Played it through an Orange AD30 and an Orange Tiny Terror (great amp). I normally use a Marshall 6100 so I felt it would be close to the sounds I get.

It's a thinner neck than I was expecting, really easy to get around and the weight relief made it a lot lighter than I expected. I held it against the Custom Shop (can't afford it.. no point plugging it in lol) and the weight diff is really noticeable.

All the tones were there (played everything I could think of - Kiss, GnR, Pink Floyd, Metallica, AC/DC, Lenny Kravitz and even some Hendix - murdered all the greats ;-)

To top it all off the guitar looks great. The flame wasn't quite as prominent as the pics on the Gibson site show but it still looks the business.

The best news is the price. They're retailing in Australia for $5999 and the price on this one is $3999. By comparison, a new LP Classic retails at about $4300 & Standard at $4800 so the price is an awsome deal and the Custom shop is retailing at $8999 and they're selling for $5999.

So... I put a deposit down and, this time next week it should be in it's new home. YUMM!!!!!

[woodshed]

I wonder what kind of tuners it has? I know Gotoh made the "vintage style" tuners that were on the PRS McCarty I used to own. They look like the same thing that's on the SLASH. Maybe the SLASH has some cheaper copy? I bet it has a plastic nut, too. Better tuners, a better nut, & a pro setup will make all the difference. I wonder how many of the guitars you played were set up by a pro tech?